Pages

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Here's a dish that's as flavorful as it is colorful, and we all know it's most healthy to eat by colors. Usually you see African peanut soup (or stew) with chicken in it. That's all well and good but I find this dish can stand on it's own. Carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes- who needs chicken. Not to mention, the peanut butter (legume) and rice (a grain) make for a complete protein!

Friday, January 1, 2016

This post is either really early for next Christmas or way late for this past one. I just hope it's not too late for the very last ever Sourdough Surprises! It's not easy saying good-bye to this group. A great group of women (an maybe one man) who I've so enjoyed baking along with for the last 3 years. I had to eat a lot of this bread just to try and get over it!

The last challenge was a Holiday themed one. I googled around and saw some Holiday wreath shaped breads which I thought would be perfect. I worked up a formula and as always I used yeast in my recipe along with a cup of freshly fed and tangy starter. This makes enough for two wreaths, or you could cheat like I did and make one ring and a small batch of cinnamon buns. I had to eat a lot of those as well.

sourdough holiday wreath

filling

2 cups dried fruit

1 cup apple sauce

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup raw cane sugar

1 teaspoons cinnamon

dough

1/2 cup warm milk

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 ounce yeast

1 cup sourdough starter

2 eggs (plus one for brushing)

1 yolk

3 & 1/2 - 4 cups white whole wheat flour

6 tablespoon soft butter

icing

4 ounces cream cheese

2 cups confectioners sugar

multicolored jimmies

For the filling: combine all ingredients in a large bowl, cover and set aside.

For the dough: in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook combine milk, sugar, yeast and starter and let sit for 5 minutes. Add eggs, yolks and 3 cups of flour; mix on medium speed to form dough. Add more flour if needed, dough should just a little sticky. On medium speed add soft butter a little bit at a time.

Turn dough out on lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Transfer dough to a buttered bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place for 2 hours. (Or overnight in the refrigerator.)

Punch down dough and divide in half. Roll each half into an 18 by 9 inch rectangle. Spread each with half the filling. Starting at the long end roll the dough up and transfer to parchment lined baking sheet. Form into a ring and seal the ends together. Cut around the edges with a scissors about 2/3 of the way into the ring. Turn each section on it's side. Cover and let rise 1 to 1 &1/2 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden. Cool on racks. Beat cream cheese and confectioners sugar and spread on cooled rings. Decorate with jimmies.

Search This Blog

About Me

Welcome to Almacucina, a place for people who like to eat standing up in the kitchen. We're into fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, simple delicious dishes and indulgent desserts. Feeding hungry eyes since 2012.
FYI:As far as I know there is no advertising on this site. However, Google Blogger uses cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. They also share information about your use of our site with social media, advertising and analytics partners. If you do not wish to be cookied, please exit the site now.